I wrap my arms around his tiny body, chuckling. “It’s OK, Aidan. You frightened me. I was reading a story.”
He giggles. “I scare you?”
“Yes,” I say, taming his disheveled hair.
“You funny, Miss Gwyn. Play blocks?”
“Sure. Go ahead and start a tower while I put this away.” I close the reference and place it in my backpack.
While I stack every other block, I urge Aidan to build higher. I stare at his pale-blond hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks, and it occurs to me. Is Ashley’s natural hair color blond? My witch’s intuition stabs me under my ribs. Is she a Tylwyth Teg fairy? Did she steal Aidan from a mother in another town? What about her dead husband?
“Aidan, I need to call my friend quickly. Mommy will be home soon.” I move to the other side of the living room and phone Ronnie.
“Hi, Gwyn. You caught me while I’m nursing, so I don’t want to talk long.”
“I hope you’re more rested today. Hospitals are a terrible place to get sleep. How is Luna sleeping?”
“Waking every two hours to nurse. I’m tired and worn out from the delivery, too, but I’m loving each minute of being a mom. I never thought I could love a person so much.”
Derek shouts in the distance, “I heard that!”
“You didn’t let me finish. Other than you, babe.”
“Well, I won’t keep you from enjoying this quiet time with Luna.”
“Stop by sometime this week. She seems to be growing every minute.” She whispers into the phone. “Before I hang up, I know they caught the baby kidnapping ring, but that sensation of dread is still overwhelming me. Should I worry? Or is this typical of a new mom?”
How do I tell her these feelings could be warnings without adding extra worry? My theories may be hogwash. I have no proof of anything.
“I do remember feeling anxious when Tyler was born. Just don’t let her out of your sight for a while. Luna is safe with you and Derek.” And my protection pouch.
“Thanks, Gwyn. Bye.”
“Take care.” I swipe the red icon.
The doorknob jiggles, and I slide my phone into my purse.
“Hi. How was Aidan?” Ashley asks, entering the apartment.
“Fine. He’s been playing since he woke up from his nap.”
“Mommy,” he says, darting to her. He hugs her leg. “I’m hungry.”
Ashley squats to hug him. I inspect the part on top of her head and swallow. The hair sprouting from her scalp shows about an eighth of an inch of golden hue. I grind my teeth.
“Hey, sweetie. I’ll get dinner soon. Go play while I cook.”
“Speaking of dinner, I have to leave,” I say, slipping on my jacket and gloves. “Gotta pick up something quickly and get to the Bearsden Council meeting.” I grab my backpack and purse and rush to the door.
“Jeff says they’re going to vote on removing the ordinance tonight. I think it was unnecessary to begin with.” She stares at Aidan. “If evil people want your children, they will devise a plan to take them. All you can do is to protect them as well as you’re able.”
Well, that’s morose. “Bye, Ashley.”
“Goodbye, Gwyn.”
When the door shuts, I lay my hand on its surface and call on my magic, chanting. I inspect the contents of the apartment. A hot aura starts in my torso, spreading throughout my body. I sense the strange magical residue I’ve encountered before. Is it witch or fairy magic? If it’s the latter, is it the remains of Nuada’s past presence? Or a Tylwyth Teg?
I arrive late at the city council chamber and sit down in an aisle seat next to Archie. The older witches from the coven are here to observe, although Agnes appears less than agreeable to being there. A bitter scowl has frozen her face. She’s sitting with Trinity, Shane, and Leslie. Ronnie’s home with Luna, of course.
“Where were you?” he whispers. “They’re discussing the ordinance. More like arguing.”
“I left Ashley’s apartment late and had to get something to eat. I need to tell you what happened while I was there.”
His brow furrows. “Something wrong?”
“I’ll fill you in on the way back to the house.”
Mayor Devine pounds her gavel. “Alys, I understand your concerns. But the parents of high schoolers in the community want their children to have the ease of walking home from their evening jobs on the weekends. They’re trying to save up for college, many of them attending Delaware University right here in Bearsden, and their parents simply don’t have the time to pick them up every evening. Bearsden has always been a safe town with the exception of the recent kidnappings. Thankfully, those responsible are in custody, and we can return to normal.”
Alys pinches her lips together. “This is appalling. Why wouldn’t you want to safeguard the children by keeping a curfew in place?”
“I agree,” John Erickson says. “Although I don’t have kids yet, I say we should err on the side of caution for the town’s kids.”
Elijah leans forward on the table. “Normally, I would agree with you both, but the threat of the kidnappings has ended. It’s time for the ordinance to end.”
A few of the other council members nod, and the residents in attendance mutter words of support. As I scan the room for reactions, my gaze falls upon Courtney. She’s twisting her pale-blond hair into knots.
